Student Learning Outcomes

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is a voluntary, non-governmental, membership association that defines, maintains, and promotes educational excellence across institutions with diverse missions, student populations, and resources. The Commission is dedicated to quality assurance and improvement through accreditation via peer evaluation. Middle States accreditation instills public confidence in institutional mission, goals, performance, and resources through its rigorous accreditation standards and their enforcement.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is the unit of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the Middle States region, which includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several locations internationally.

In 2010, the State University Board of Trustees updated its policies to reduce unnecessarily duplicative assessment requirements for campuses while maintaining high standards. Trustees Resolution 2010-039, Streamlining the State University Board of Trustees Policy on Assessment replaces all previous Board policies on assessment, and has been in effect since fall 2010.

Key provisions of this policy include the development of a College assessment plan that includes the regular assessment of institutional effectiveness, academic programs and general education, such that the campus meets or exceeds the assessment standards set by the New York State Department of Education, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and programmatic accreditation bodies, such as ABET and US Coast Guard License Programs.

More information can be found on the Engineering Departmentwebpage, and the webpages for the individual programs.

U.S. Coast Guard License Programs

SUNY Maritime College's four-year Deck and Engineering Programs meet the Maritime Administration's (MARAD) academy training and curriculum regulations (46 CFR 310) and are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for the issuance of a Third Mate or Third Assistant Engineer's license upon graduation and completion of all required training. Graduates are also issued internationally recognized Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW-95) Endorsements. Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard has approved a Mate 500/1600 Gross Tons License Program, which is combined with an Associates Degree in Applied Science for graduates wishing to seek employment in the tug and barge industry. The College has developed and is currently seeking approval from the U.S. Coast Guard for a similar program for engineers.

Graduates holding Coast Guard Mariner Credentials combined with the education and degree they receive are well-prepared for a full spectrum of maritime industry jobs, either at sea or ashore. Graduates may sail on oceangoing, coastal or inland vessels, or work ashore in a variety of maritime related positions. Prospective employers may include the Federal Government (e.g., Military Sealift Command) or the tug/barge or mineral and oil industry.